Netanyahu invites Modi, pilot Smit to light Israel flame
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar to light the flame at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony.
Netanyahu extended the invitation during a phone call with Modi on Saturday. He praised Machchhar as “a hero for Israel, India and the entire world” for preventing the co-pilot of flight 1073 from crashing the plane with more than 170 people on board.
Lighting the Independence Day flame is one of Israel’s highest honours and is usually reserved for Israeli citizens. Netanyahu said he would also like to meet Machchhar in person and honour him.
During the call, Machchhar recounted the attack. He said the co-pilot had asked to pray and, when the captain turned to adjust the instruments, struck him from behind. The pilot managed to reach the cockpit door and call for help. Passengers overpowered the attacker.
The invitation marks a rare honour for an Indian national. Machchhar is recovering in an Israeli hospital. Netanyahu has congratulated the passengers who restrained the attacker and the backup crew who landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
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